News from the River (Cont.) Great Trinity Forest Adventure Hike Returns to Rochester Park! (con't) An orienteering event is a timed trial run or hike that is held outdoors for children and adults. Participants will have the opportunity to use their skills and navigate with a map and compass deep in the forest at the 900 acre Rochester Park. The challenge is to get back to the starting point first! This is a free event. Register on the North Texas Orienteering web site at www.ntoa.com to participate. The timed trail event is limited to 150 people but boasting 900 acres, there is no limit to the amount of spectators who may watch the event. The Great Trinity Forest Adventure Hike will be held at Rochester Park, 3000 Municipal Street, Dallas, TX 75215 (HWY 175 South to Municipal exit).
Schedule Your 10K Run by the Trinity River Runners and outdoor enthusiasts mark your calendar for a spectacular run by the Trinity River promoted by the City of Dallas, Trinity Commons Foundation, Dallas Running Club, and Luke’s Locker. The 6th Annual Trinity River Levee Run is being held on March 6 at Trammell Crow Park, 3700 Sylvan Avenue, Dallas, TX 75207. Register at www.dallasrunningclub.com. The 10K Race and 2 Mile Fun Run will again include a challenge between Dallas’ finest safety forces with Dallas Fire Chief Eddie Burns and Dallas Police Chief David Kunkle and their recruits vying for the challenge trophy in the Glenn Carter Safety Challenge. Please do not miss the excitement as the fire department sends out their fastest runners in an attempt to win back the coveted trophy and outrun the police recruits and chiefs!
Grand Prairie Students See Northern Harrier Hawks In the Forest
The children lined up whispering in excitement and with impatience but they were all smiles as they viewed the striking bird in the sunshine. The female is brown with gold and white while the male is basically grey. This bird of prey is one of the few displaying a distinct color difference between the male and female of the species. The Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus) is not a permanent resident of our area. This medium-sized raptor, formerly referred to as the "marsh hawk," has been listed as endangered in New Jersey since 1984, and is listed as threatened in New York. The Northern Harrier hunts on the wing and uses its eyesight and hearing to locate prey. It is a beautiful and efficient flyer and can cover up to 100 miles a day seeking small rodents and birds to eat. It is considered a good hawk because it prefers small prey such as field mice rather then chickens. It ranges from central Canada to Texas but by April, it migrates up North for the summer. During courtship, the male performs an intricate aerial dance. Harriers generally have about 4-5 young in a clutch and parental care is offered by both parents. The young stay dependent on the parents for about a month before they are fledged and off on their own. Because the stick and grass nest is built on the ground (unusual for hawks), open prairie and wetland habitats are important to the preservation of this species. The Lower Chain of Wetlands and the forest land along the Trinity River is perfect winter terrain for these beautiful birds. Current threats to the Northern Harrier include ongoing pesticide use and the loss of breeding habitat, specifically the filling of wetlands and the development of grassland habitats.
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A group of 82 5th graders from Barbara Bush Elementary School in the Grand Prairie ISD lead by their teacher Penny Weaver had a wonderful surprise just last week. They were on a field trip to the Trinity River Audubon Center and although it was a cold day, the sun was out and many birds were taking advantage of the warmth and sunning themselves near the center. Two of these were Northern Harrier Hawks. In particular, the female hawk rested on a tree by the large back pond where she could be viewed through the center’s telescope. 
